SHEBOYGAN – Van Horn Automotive Group was recognized last weekend as the 2019 Company of the Year by the Wisconsin Chapter of the ESOP Association, a professional organization for employee-owned businesses.

The ESOP Company of the Year award is presented to a company that demonstrates a commitment to employee ownership as exhibited by involvement with the association and its programs, communication with employees and commitment to the association’s vision.

“When we received word that we were getting the ESOP Company of the Year Award, we were ecstatic,” Teresa Van Horn, co-CEO and ESOP trustee, said.

This recognition by the Wisconsin Chapter of the ESOP Association qualifies Van Horn Automotive Group to be considered for the National ESOP Company of the Year, which will be announced May 22, 2019, at the 42nd Annual ESOP Conference in Washington, D.C.

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The exterior of the former Russ Darrow Nissan/VW franchise as seen, Thursday, September 20, 2018, in Sheboygan, Wis. The dealer ship was purchased by the Van Horn Group this week.(Photo: Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Van Horn Automotive Group became the first partially employee-owned car dealership group in Wisconsin in 2015. The group’s 500 full-time employees own 30 percent of the company. In the last year, Van Horn has added more than 100 full-time employees and its employee turnover rate decreased by 8 percent.

Van Horn Automotive Group, Inc., is headquartered in Plymouth. The group employs over 580 people throughout Wisconsin and Iowa.

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